Portable hoist for luggage and the like



June 17, 1969 L. T. ELIEL PORTABLE HOIST FOR LUGGAGE AND THE LIKE FiledSept. 15, 1967 FIG mvzswrozz Leo/v 7. EL /4. %5

United States Patent US. Cl. 254-1391 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE The present invention comprises a frame adapted with Wheelsand a hoist mechanism whereby luggage and similar articles can be liftedand conveniently transported from one location to another. It isparticularized by comprising a frame having a platform which can beretracted and an extension which provides a line and hook over theplatform when the latter is in operating position. A manual hoistmechanism or crank is provided for raising and lowering the hook, therebeing a ratchet mechanism to require release to enable the hook andluggage to be lowered. Such ratchet mechanism comprises a pawlengageable with limit stops on the frame, the manual handle beingmovable in a secondary direction for releasing such ratchet for loweringpurposes.

Further, the device is characterized by the extension being collapsibleto a position adjacent the frame for ease in transporting the entiredevice.

The present invention relates to portable hoists for luggage and thelike and, more particularly, to mechanisms for raising and transportingarticles from one location to another.

Within recent years, the standard of living, particularly within theUnited States, has improved to the point where people are now able toretire at a younger age. Many such retired persons turn to travel as away of enjoyably spending their remaining years.

Most travelers today are from the older or senior portion of oursociety. By and large, they are not particularly well adapted forlifting heavy luggage and transporting the same from the home to theautomobile or other means of transportation. As a result of this, manyolder folks find it difficult to do the traveling they desire, or findit inconvenient to hire people to carry their bags and luggage at everyinstance.

It has been realized for sometime that it would be desirable to havemeans of some kind whereby even the most heavy and cumbersome pieces ofluggage could be handled conveniently by even the most elderly orfragile person.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable hoistwhich can be operated simply and without considerable human effort inraising, lowering and transporting luggage from one location to another.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hoist ascharacterized above which can be transported with the luggage itself soas to be usable at a relatively remote location.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hoist ascharacterized above which is collapsible so as to be arranged in arelatively small compact package for fitting within an automobile trunkor the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hoist ascharacterized above which employs manual means for raising and loweringluggage or any other article, but wherein spring loaded ratchet means isprovided for preventing accidental release of such luggage once it hasbeen raised.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a hoist ascharacterized above having a manual 3,450,386 Patented June 17, 1969crank which not only is employed for raising and lower ing the luggagebut which also controls ratchet means for preventing accidentallowering.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a hoist ascharacterized above which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture andwhich is rugged and dependable in operation.

The novel features which I consider characteristic of my invention areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The device itself,however, both as to its organization and mode of operation, togetherwith additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understoodfrom the following description of specific embodiments when read inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a hoist according to the presentinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of such hoist, takensubstantially along line 2 2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view, taken substantiallyalong line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially along line44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially along line5-5 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view, taken substantially along line 66 ofFIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view, taken substantiallyalong line 77 of FIGURE 1.

Like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings there is shown therein a portablehoist 10 according to the present invention.

Such hoist comprises a frame 12 having a main por tion 14 and a platform16 hingedly connected thereto. Frame 14 is formed of generally tubularside supports 18 and 20, each of which is arcuately shaped as at 18a and20a so as to meet at the apex 22 of frame 12. Although substantially anytype of style of structural member may be employed for such supports, asfor instance circular or U-shaped steel channels, it has been foundpreferable to employ steel tubing having substantially square orrectangular cross-section. Such supports thus provide the desiredsrength for insuring suitable overall strength for the entire frame.

A centrally located support 24 is positioned generally vertically fromthe apex 22 of the frame 12 to a position 'between a pair of opposedmounting plates 26 and 28, the latter of which are bolted or riveted tothe side supports 18 and 20 as shown in FIGURES 1, 5 and 6 of thedrawings. The lower end of support 24 is suitably secured to suchmounting plates to provide the desired srength for the frame.

A pair of mounting bolts or studs 30, each having a head 3011, aresecured respectively in the side supports 18 and 20 in opposed relationas shown. Such bolts constitute part of the locking and supportmechanism for the platform 16 as will hereinafter be explained ingreater detail.

Extending through suitable aligned openings in the lower end of sidesupports 18 and 20, is an axle 32 which carries wheels 34 and 36 at itsopposite ends. Such wheels, of course, faciiltate transporting of theentire frame along the ground or pavement as will hereinafter becomemore apparent.

Platform 16 is generally square or rectangular in construction and iscomposed of suitable tubular support members 38, 40 and 42, and braces44 and 46. All of such members of platform 16 are firmly welded togetherto provide a unitary structure capable of supporting a reasonable weightsuch as encountered with luggage and the like.

The side support members 38 and 40 of platform 16 are provided withaligned through openings for receiving axle 32 as shown in FIGURE 1 ofthe drawings. Thus, platform 16 is pivotally mounted on or relative toframe 12 so as to be movable from a retracted position to an operatingor extended position as shown in FIGURE 1.

Mounted on either side of platform 16 is a locking and support member asshown at 48 and 50. One end of each of such members is pivotallyconnected to the corresponding side support member of platform 16 as bya rivet, screw or bolt as shown at 52.

As shown more particularly in FIGURE 7 of the drawings, each of themembers 48 and 50 is formed with an elongated slot as shown at 50a withrespect to member 50, the upper end 50b of such slot being enlarged andoffset to provide a shoulder 500. As will be readily understood by thosepersons skilled in the art, the slot or opening 48a of member 48 issimilar or identical to the slot 50a of member 50.

The members 48 and 50 are positioned on the respective bolts 30 in thesupports 18 and 20 such that the bolts extend through the slots 48a and50a. The heads 30a of the bolts prevent disengagement of the members 48and 50 from their respective mounting bolts 30.

To facilitate quick and easy manual release of platform 16 to itsretracted position, a procedure which will hereinafter be explained indetail, a rod 51 is firmly secured between the upper ends of members 48and 50. Such rod not only acts as a tie-rod for holding such members infixed relation but also acts as a convenient handle for releasing thesupports for the platform.

Piovtally fixed to the apex 22 of frame 12 is an extension 54. The lowerend 54a of extension 54 is provided with a collar 56 formed with a pairof tabs 56a constituting a clevis. A similar member 58- is mounted onframe 12 at the apex 22 and is formed with a tab 58a which fits withinsuch clevis. A pivot pin 60 is provided for enabling the extension 54 topivot rearwardly as will hereinafter appear from its operating positionto its retracted position.

A locking device 62 is provided between the extension 54 and frame 12 tomaintain the former in its operating position. Such locking meanscomprises an elongated leaf spring 64 one end 64a of which is firmlysecured to end 54a of extension 54 by means of a rivet 66 and a spacer68. The opposite end 64b of leaf spring 64 is attached to a latch member70 by means of a bolt or screw 72. Thus, when the extension 54 is movedfrom its retracted to its operating position the latch member 70 iscaused to engage the lowermost edge of the mounting member 58 as shownin solid lines in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. To return the extension toits retracted position it is first necesary to manually move the leafspring 64 to its broken line position as shown in FIGURE 2.

Extension 54 is also provided with an end portion 54b which is disposedover the mid-portion of platform 16 when the latter is in its extendedor operating position. A pulley 74 is rotatably mounted in the endportion 54b of extension 54 by means of a pivot pin 76. A similar pulley78 is mounted at the apex 22 of frame 12 within the tubular support 24by means of a pivot pin 80.

A chain or line 82, which may be formed of twine, metal, nylon orsubstantially any other flexible material, is extended over the pulleys74 and 78 as shown most clearly in FIGURE 2 'of the drawings. Such linecarries a book 84 at one end thereof, although substantially any type oflatching or gripping means may be employed.

The opposite end of line 82 extends downwardly through support 24 and iswound on a cylindrical member' 86. A pulley 88 at the bottom of support24 suitably positions the line 82 in spaced relation to the side wallsof the support 24 and guides the line on and d" the cylindrical member86.

Cylindrical member 86 is rotatably positioned within a housing 89attached to plate 26, on a shaft 90 which extends between and issuitably journaled in mounting plates 26 and 28. Also mounted on suchshaft 90 is a sprocket or gear 92 which cooperates with a drive chain94.

A second rotatable shaft 96 is suitably journaled in the plates 26 and28, there being another sprocket or gear 98 on shaft 96 for cooperationwith drive chain 94. It has been found preferable to have the sprocketor gear 98 considerably smaller than the sprocket or gear 92 to provideincreased mechanical advantage and to decrease the speed of travel ofbook 84 as will hereinafter become apparent.

The drive shaft 96 extends through a suitable opening in plate 28 and acrank 100 is mounted thereon as shown most clearly in FIGURE 3 of thedrawings. Such crank 100 comprises an arm 102 one end 102a of which isfirmly connected to shaft 96. The other end 10212 of arm 102 carries ahandle or knob 104.

A stud 106 is firmly secured to end portion 102b of arm 102 to extendtherefrom at substantially right angles thereto. A knob 104 is formedwith a central through opening 104a which is enlarged as at 10411 toprovide an annular shoulder 104C. The opening 104a of knob 104 receivesstud 106, and a fastening nut 108 and washer 110 are mounted on thethreaded end of stud 106. The washer 110 engages the shoulder 104c asshown most clearly in FIGURE 3 of the drawings.

The knob 104 is further formed with a relatively large annular flange104d. Such flange engages a roller 112 which is carried by a pawl member114, the latter of which is part of a ratchet mechanism 116. Pawl 114 ispivotally mounted on arm 102 by a pivot pin 118, and is provided with anoffset portion 114a.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE 4 of the drawings, end portion 1145: isprovided with a beveled surface 114b affording an acute angle 1140 forthe end portion 114 for engagement with suitable stop elementscircumferentially spaced on plate 28 as shown most clearly in FIGURE 1of the drawings. A leaf spring 122, having one end pivotally mounted onarm 102 by a pivot pin 124, is positioned as shown in FIGURE 3 to urgethe offset end portions 114a of pawl 114 toward mounting plate 28 andelements 120.

The above-described portable hoist is readily used to hoist andtransport luggage as well as substantially any other article. To raisethe hook 84 and such luggage, it is merely necessary to rotate arm 102in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 1. This is accomplished, ofcourse, by gripping the knob 104 and exerting a rotational force on arm102. This action turns sprocket 98 as well as sprocket 92 through chaindrive 94. As a result of this action the cylindrical member 86 isrotated to thereby retrieve the line 82 over the pulleys 78 and 74 so asto raise the hook 84.

The ratchet mechanism 116 is no impediment to such rotational movementof arm 102 due to the beveled surface 11412 of pawl 114. Any reverse orcounterclockwise movement of arm 102, however, is prevented byengagement of the acute corner 1140 of pawl 114 with one of the stopelements 120 on plate 28.

When it is desired to. lower the luggage, it is merely necessary for theoperator to release the ratchet mechanism 116. by rectilinearly movingthe knob 104 toward plate 28, and to rotate arm 102 in itscounterclockwise direction. Suchrectilinear movement of knob 104 causesflange 104d to pivot pawl 114 to its broken line position shown inFIGURE 3. Such movement of pawl 114, of course, is against the force ofleaf spring 122.

Thus the ratchet mechanism 116 is released enabling the arm 102 to berotated in the counterclockwise direction to lower the hook 84.Throughout such rotation of arm 102, of course, the knob 104 remains inits release or depressed position, the flange 104d rolling on the roller112 throughout the rotation of said arm. Such rectilinear movement ofknob 104 is facilitated by the lost motion connection of stud 106 withinthe opening 104a of knob 104.

Release of the knob 104 enables leaf spring 122 to automatically returnpawl 114 to its locking position and knob 104 to its retracted position.Thus the latching mechanism 116 becomes automatically effective uponrelease of the manually operated knob 104.

Thus, the luggage attached to hook 84 can be lowered onto platform 16.In any event, the entire frame and luggage attached to hook 84 can betransported merely by moving the frame 12 on wheels 34 and 36.

It is frequently desirable to transport the portable hoist with theluggage so as to be usable at a given destination. To facilitate packingand storing of such portable hoist, after the luggage has been suitablyremoved from hook 84 the extension 54 is pivoted rearwardly about pin 60after the locking mechanism 62 has been released as above explained.Thus, the extension 54 is caused to be positioned adjacent the frame 12.

The platform 16 can also be retracted by pivoting the support members 48and 50 to release the shoulders in the slots therein from adjacent therespective bolts 30. Such pivotal movement of members 48 and 50, ofcourse, is against the force of leaf spring 64. The entire platform 16can then be rotated or pivoted upwardly to a position adjacent the frame12. In this manner the entire hoist is made compact and can be placed inan automobile trunk or substantially any other confined space where theluggage is located.

It is thus seen that the present invention provides a portable hoist forluggage or any other article, and is provided with certain features ofcompactness and ease in operation.

Although I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of myinvention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof arepossible.

I claim:

1. A portable hoist for luggage and the like comprising in combination,a frame having a main portion and a platform hingedly connected theretofor movement between extended and retracted positions, wheels on saidframe to facilitate transporting thereof, a retractable extension onsaid frame movable from a position over said platform when the latter isextended to retracted position adjacent said frame, hoist meanscomprising a flexible line suspended from said extension and carrying ahook to engage luggage and the like, and retrieval means on said frameconnected to said line to retrieve the same on said extension to therebylift said hook to permit transporting of said luggage and the like saidretrieval means comprising a manual crank and a rotatable cylindricalmember whereon said line is wound, said manual crank being operativelyassociated with said cylindrical member to effect rotation thereof forraising and lowering said hook and releasable ratchet means limitingrotation of said cylindrical member to one direction unless and untilsaid ratchet means is released to permit reverse rotation of said crankto effect rotation of said cylindrical member in the direction oppositeto said one direction, said manual crank comprising a rotatable armmounted on said frame for rotation of said cylindrical member andincludes a handle to effect rotation of said arm, and said ratchetmeans comprises a pawl on said rotatable arm for engagement withprearranged stop elements on said frame and wherein said pawl is movablymounted on said rotatable arm and said handle is rectilinearly movableon said arm and engageable with said pawl, whereby rectilinear movementof said handle on said arm effects movement of said pawl thereon toeffect disengagement of the latter with said stop elements to therebypermit reverse rotation of said cylindrical member for lowering saidhook.

2. A portable hoist for luggage and the like according to claim 1,wherein said extension is elongated having one end hingedly mounted tosaid frame and another end to be disposed over said platform when bothare in nonretracted operating positions, and travel limiting meansprovided on said extension for engagement with said frame to define theoperating position of said extension.

3. A portable hoist for luggage and the like according to claim 2,wherein said extension is provided with a pulley at its extended end toreceive said line to facilitate movement of the latter in raising andlowering said hook.

4. A portable hoist for luggage and the like according to claim 3,wherein spring loaded locking means is provided on said main portion andplatform of said frame to lock said platform in extended position unlessand until said locking means is released to permit said platform to behingedly moved to retracted position adjacent said main portion of saidframe.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 552,599 1/ 1896 Valiant 188-82773,048,371 8/1962 Klimek 254-139 3,123,229 3/1964 Kleirnan 254-1393,158,266 11/1964 Manaugh 212-8 3,212,788 10/1965 Adler 280-36 FOREIGNPATENTS 813,617 5/1959 Great Britain.

EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner. H. C. HORNSBY, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

